The Unofficial Northampton Saints Supporters' Message Board

One of the enduring images I have from yesterday's game was what each team did in possession. Invariably Exeter just kept hold of it, recycling countless times with great patience and either scoring of going close. Whereas the times we had the ball, whilst i liked the faster game, it was also clear that we would try and force it with an offload that wasn't on or a dodgy pass that went to ground, etc.....a generalisation of course but IMO an enduring pattern

To play a really fast game the skill levels have to be very high too. Saracens exhibited this the last time they were at the Gardens. Chiefs didn't really have to do much to beat us, just trust in their systems and their strengths, set piece being one of them. Agree 100% with your points about patience and recycling. They knew that over time the amount of tackles Saints had to make would take their toll.

What is staggering is how much we over-complicate plays when in possession. Thinking Harry's dropped ball near oppo 22. Why not have the ball go through hands rather being too cute and clever? Ace's try was primarily made through quick distribution and Horne coming onto the ball at real pace.

It appears we think we're the All Blacks when in reality we're more like Italy.

Basics, basics, basics. Invariably our backs resort to ambitious passes risking and often being intercepted or are impossible for their own man to take. I saw none of these from Exeter - they pass quickly to a man or men on or near the shoulder of the passer. Saints achieved similar just the once with Tuala's try which was the epitome of basic, simple first phase rugby. Horne makes a big difference - he knows his stuff.

tedgeBasics, basics, basics. Invariably our backs resort to ambitious passes risking and often being intercepted or are impossible for their own man to take. I saw none of these from Exeter - they pass quickly to a man or men on or near the shoulder of the passer. Saints achieved similar just the once with Tuala's try which was the epitome of basic, simple first phase rugby. Horne makes a big difference - he knows his stuff.

Quite right, Tedge. Btw, Francis cannot pass effectively from left to right. Seen him throw a couple of howlers in the last couple of games. Literally at bootstraps.

To be realistic we were never going to beat Exeter whatever we did, so anyone who just wants to criticise could do so whatever happened. Our defence looked far better against one of the best teams and we actually managed to cause them problems. It was a big step in the right direction, not sure what some people expect.

One team is top of the league confident in retaining possession and whose game is based on patience and long multi phases of play. The other is towards the bottom and low on confidence and are desperate for something to click so impatient.

ajackTo be realistic we were never going to beat Exeter whatever we did, so anyone who just wants to criticise could do so whatever happened. Our defence looked far better against one of the best teams and we actually managed to cause them problems. It was a big step in the right direction, not sure what some people expect.

I expect to be vaguely competitive and to travel hopefully, so what do you expect?

tedgeBasics, basics, basics. Invariably our backs resort to ambitious passes risking and often being intercepted or are impossible for their own man to take. I saw none of these from Exeter - they pass quickly to a man or men on or near the shoulder of the passer. Saints achieved similar just the once with Tuala's try which was the epitome of basic, simple first phase rugby. Horne makes a big difference - he knows his stuff.

Quite right, Tedge. Btw, Francis cannot pass effectively from left to right. Seen him throw a couple of howlers in the last couple of games. Literally at bootstraps.

.

His long mis pass left to right into Harryís bread basket yesterday for the try would suggest he can ....

agree Iíve been disappointed with some of his passing, didnít do that in Auckland

ajackSee Sarries managed another win with a scrum getting shunted all over the show. Still they will never win anything.

Youíre just coming on here to wind people up of late, I think the mantle of King Troll has been taken for 2017.

Saracens are usually rock solid, you know that (they battered us) but Mako was done by Cole today. An ex Lion told me heís the best scrummaging 3 in world rugby and heís started to really show why of late.

We however have been shite for nearly 3 years at scrums, not a one off.

Not at all, I am just amused by people who really don't understand the importance of the scrum banging on as if they do. Australia and NZ have both been the best teams in the world without great scrums, Argentina have never been the best despite having the best scrum for periods of time. Sarries have seldom had the best scrum, Wasps certainly don't have . Obviously having a dominate scrum helps either on your own ball or the oppositions but neither is the be all or end all, we have bigger problems at the minute.

However it is required to have a on par set peice at least to consistently compete in the Prem and against the top teams. So that should be what we expect and coaches should aim to provide at the minimum.

But there are also other aspects of our game that need drastically improving in order for us too compete.

Our basic skills sadly are very very low. We seem able to produce fantastic moments and moves. (Ace try).
But infact struggle to put together periods of pressure and stress defences with multi phase attacks.

Passing is poor.
Catching is poor. (Sounds silly, but it really is)
Timing of runs is poor.

So IMO I very much agree that there is a need for change at Forwards Coach, but also think we desperately need a skills/backs coach.

We have a scrum that will produce us ball on our own feed, it is the best in the premiership at least statistically. It is a major problem when it is not our put in but there are far bigger problems at the club than that.

ajackTo be realistic we were never going to beat Exeter whatever we did, so anyone who just wants to criticise could do so whatever happened. Our defence looked far better against one of the best teams and we actually managed to cause them problems. It was a big step in the right direction, not sure what some people expect.

Quite right Ajack, the defence was much better.

Have you any comment on the scrum? The source - in my opinion - of our real problems. In answer to your parting question - I would expect a competitive scrum. Not dominant, competitive.

ajackTo be realistic we were never going to beat Exeter whatever we did, so anyone who just wants to criticise could do so whatever happened. Our defence looked far better against one of the best teams and we actually managed to cause them problems. It was a big step in the right direction, not sure what some people expect.

I expect to be vaguely competitive and to travel hopefully, so what do you expect?

Ajack, what happens in a few weeks, just Clermont who did a bigger job on Saints scrum first time round than I have ever seen done on any team's scrum in my spectating lifetime. With a bit of luck they may send over their usual away side, like La Rochelle did in the last round.

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